Paint-ball gun

Abstract

The present invention features an improved paint-ball pistol, which has two detent-pin mechanisms, one of which firmly affixes the front receiver of the gun to the trigger housing, and one of which that firmly affixes the barrel to the front receiver. In the event that either the front receiver must be detached from the trigger housing or the barrel from the front receiver (as in those instances when a paint-ball capsule ruptures therein), the detent-pin mechanism allows for immediate and almost instantaneous removal thereof. The detent-pin mechanisms each have a knob that is movable between a locked and a retracted position, and a screw that is affixed to the knob. The screws extend from the knobs through the front of the trigger housing and through the forward portion of the front receiver. The ends of the screws extend beyond the inner trigger housing surface and beyond the inner front receiver surface and into the holes in the outer surfaces of the front receiver and the barrel of the gun. About each of the screws is a coil spring, which is captured at a top portion of the screw by a jam nut. The outward, pulling movement of the knob removes the screw shaft from the hole in either the front receiver or the barrel. In this retracted position, the front receiver or the barrel is freed from its original position, and can be slidably removed. The operator then has both hands free to disengage either piece. The part can then be slid back, and the knob quarter-twisted and returned to its initial, locked position. The detent-pin mechanism of this invention makes the removal of both front receiver and barrel and their reinsertion a quick procedure, one that is achieved by a simple pull and twist of a knob.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A paint-ball pistol having a removable barrel that is held to the front receiver of the pistol by a first, biased, detent-pin mechanism which firmly affixes said barrel of said paint-ball pistol to said front receiver in a first locking position, and upon actuation thereof, releases a locking detent pin, so that said barrel can be slid from said front receiver, and said front receiver being removable and held to the trigger housing of the pistol by a second, biased, detent-pin mechanism which firmly affixes said front receiver of said paint-ball pistol to said trigger housing in a first locking position, and upon actuation thereof, releases a locking detent pin, so that said front receiver can be slid from said trigger housing, said first, biased, detent-pin mechanism comprising: a front receiver supporting said barrel of said pistol;   a first knob that is movable between a locked and a retracted position, said first knob being carried upon said front receiver of said pistol;   a first shaft extending from, and affixed to, said first knob, said first shaft extending through and beyond the front receiver to engage with and lock said barrel to said front receiver in said locked position, said barrel being freed from said front receiver when said first shaft is withdrawn by said first knob to said retracted position; and   first biasing means supported by said front receiver for biasing said first knob against movement from said locked position to said retracted position;     said second, biased, detent-pin mechanism comprising: a trigger housing supporting said front receiver of said pistol;   a second knob that is movable between a locked and a retracted position, said second knob being carried upon said trigger housing of said pistol;   a second shaft extending from, and affixed to, said second knob, said second shaft extending through and beyond the trigger housing to engage with and lock said front receiver in said locked position, said front receiver being freed from said trigger housing when said second shaft is withdrawn by said second knob to said retracted position; and   second biasing means supported by said trigger housing for biasing said second knob against movement from said locked position to said retracted position; and   two pedestals respectively carried by said front receiver and said trigger housing, each of said pedestals having a tongue, and each one of said knobs comprising means defining a groove, and further wherein each of said tongues nest within each of said grooves when said respective knobs are in said locked position.     
     
     
       2. The paint-ball pistol in accordance with claim 1, further comprising respective means for rotating each of said knobs with respect to each respective pedestal, whereby when each of said knobs receives a half-twist turn, said knob will be supported upon the tongue of said pedestal by a biasing force provided by said biasing means. 
     
     
       3. A paint-ball pistol having a removable front receiver that is held to the trigger housing of the pistol by a biased, detent-pin mechanism which firmly affixes said front receiver of said paint-ball pistol to said trigger housing in a first locking position, and upon actuation thereof, releases a locking detent pin, so that said front receiver can be slid from said trigger housing, said detent-pin mechanism comprising: a trigger housing supporting said front receiver of said pistol;   a knob that is movable between a locked and a retracted position, said knob being carried upon said trigger housing of said pistol;   a screw extending from, and affixed to said knob, said screw extending through and beyond the trigger housing to engage with and lock said front receiver to said trigger housing in said locked position, said front receiver being freed from said trigger housing when said screw is withdrawn by said knob to said retracted position;   biasing means supported by said trigger housing for biasing said knob against movement from said locked position to said retracted position; and   a pedestal carried by said trigger housing, said pedestal having a tongue, and said knob comprising means defining a groove, and further wherein said tongue nests within said groove when said knob is in said locked position.   
     
     
       4. The paint-ball pistol in accordance with claim 3, further comprising means for rotating said knob with respect to said pedestal, whereby when said knob receives a quarter-twist turn, said knob will be supported upon the tongue of said pedestal by a biasing force provided by said biasing means. 
     
     
       5. A paint-ball pistol having a removable barrel that is held to the front receiver of the pistol by a biased, detent-pin mechanism which firmly affixes said barrel of said paint-ball pistol to said front receiver in a first locking position, and upon actuation thereof, releases a locking detent pin, so that said barrel can be slid from said front receiver, said biased, detent-pin mechanism comprising: a front receiver supporting said barrel of said pistol;   a knob that is movable between a locked and a retracted position, said knob being carried upon said front receiver of said pistol;   a screw extending from and affixed to said knob, said screw extending through and beyond the front receiver to engage with and lock said barrel to said front receiver in said locked position, said barrel being freed from said front receiver when said screw is withdrawn by said knob to said retracted position;   biasing means supported by said front receiver for biasing said knob against movement from said locked position to said retracted position; and   a pedestal carried by said front receiver, said pedestal having a tongue, and said knob comprising means defining a groove, and further wherein said tongue nests within said groove when said knob is in said locked position.   
     
     
       6. The paint-ball pistol in accordance with claim 5, further comprising means for rotating said knob with respect to said pedestal, whereby when said knob receives a quarter-twist turn, said knob will be supported upon the tongue of said pedestal by a biasing force provided by said biasing means.